Almost 15 months back, on April 17, 2013, a bomb exploded near BJP’s Karnataka headquarters in Malleswaram but residents whose properties were damaged in the incident still await the compensation promised by the government.
G Narayana Reddy, in front of whose house the bomb was planted, said all but lost hope of getting the compensation after running from pillar to post.
He had to spend Rs 12 lakh on the repairs. “We suffered huge losses. The then chief minister, Jagadish Shettar, assured us compensation. But not a single rupee has been paid till date,” he told Deccan Herald.
While people whose vehicles were damaged could pay for new ones thanks to insurance, the damage to Reddy’s house burned a hole in his pocket.
“My house was charred. Windowpanes, doors, television set and other gadgets were damaged beyond repair,” Reddy said, unable to conceal his frustration.
BBMP engineers had estimated the total loss at Rs 15.2 lakh for the 17 residents.
Many other residents are happy that they were just plain lucky to escape the horror on the fateful day.
“I had asked my grandson to sit in the shop. I just walked in only to hear the blast. In a flash, the glass showcase, cold drinks, fridge and doors in the shop were shattered,” he recalled.
Ramalinga Reddy, Bangalore In-charge Minister said that no one had approached him in this regard. “If they come with duplicate copies of the documents they have, we will try to help them,” he assured.